Sunday, October 12, 2008

I just read the most fascinating book by the author of Why Gender Matters, a book I raved about to everybody I talked to for weeks after reading. And this one--I can't stop talking about it either. Whether you parent boys, teach boys or have any interaction with boys in any way, you gotta read Boys Adrift. It's an intriguing exploration of the five factors Dr. Leonard Sax identifies as causing the growing epidemic of unmotivated boys. You know, the whole "failure to launch" phenomenon beginning in childhood and clearly evident in young men.

Video Games. Studies suggest that some of the most popular video games are disengaging boys from real-world pursuits.

Teaching Methods. Profound changes in the way children are educated have had the unintended consequence of turning many boys off school.

Prescription Drugs. Overuse of medication for ADHD may be causing irreversible damage to the motivational centers in boys’ brains.

Endocrine Disruptors. Environmental estrogens from plastic bottles and food sources may be lowering boys’ testosterone levels, making their bones more brittle and throwing their endocrine systems out of whack.

Devaluation of Masculinity. Shifts in popular culture have transformed the role models of manhood. Forty years ago we had Father Knows Best; today we have The Simpsons.

For those who have daughters only, this is still something I would put on the required reading list. Afterall, those girls interact with boys and I would suspect you'd want her to be involved with young men living up to their full potential. I think it's quite telling that Dr. Sax dedicates this book to his own young daughter.

Owen, who just turned 6 a few days ago, took one of his leftover helium birthday balloons outside and let it go.

"What are you are doing?" I asked. I know that he knows it's gone for good and we won't suffer through the tears of a lost balloon like we would if his little brother had done this. So I was wondering if he liked watching how high the balloon would go, how it would travel through the air currents, stuff like that.

About Me

I'm a wife, mother and writer trying to find balance in all my roles. I work at home with my kids, meaning I fit my freelance editing and writing projects around my kids. I've chosen to homeschool my oldest son in kindergarten this year, learning loads about education along the way. I'm passionate about books, so you'll see lots of discussion about them. And, of course, I'm quite passionate about my family so you'll see even more about my hubby, two boys and little girl.

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I like it like that

My husband asked me why I named my blog what I did. Aside from, "Why not?" I choose The House at My Corner because my childhood nickname was Pooh and I'm a fan of that famed bear of little brain. Since A. A. Milne so nicely coined The House at Pooh Corner already, I tweaked it to fit me.

Quotables

Education is not the filling of a bucket but the lighting of a fire.--William Butler Yeats

Education is what remains after one has forgottenwhat one has learned in school.--Albert Einstein